Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026

Recombination Dynamics in Thin-film Photovoltaic Materials via Time-resolved Microwave Conductivity
Published on: March 6, 2017
On the Mott formula for the thermopower of non-interacting electrons in quantum point contacts
Anders Mathias Lunde1, Karsten Flensberg
1Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract:
We calculate the linear response thermopower S of a quantum point contact using the Landauer formula and therefore assume non-interacting electrons. The purpose of the paper is to compare analytically and numerically the linear thermopower S of non-interacting electrons to the low-temperature approximation, [Formula: see text], and the so-called Mott expression, [Formula: see text], where G(μ,T) is the (temperature-dependent) conductance. This comparison is important, since the Mott formula is often used to detect deviations from single-particle behaviour in the thermopower of a point contact.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Debye–Huckel–Onsager Conductance Equation
Thermodynamic Potentials
Metal-Semiconductor Junctions
Schottky Barriers
Schottky barriers arise when a metal with a work function (Φm) contacts a semiconductor with a different work function (Φs). Initially, electrons transfer until the Fermi levels of the metal and semiconductor align at equilibrium. For instance, if Φm > Φs, the semiconductor Fermi level is higher than the metal's before contact. The semiconductor's...
Electric Potential Energy of Two Point Charges
P-N junction
Thermodynamics: Chemical Potential and Activity
The thermodynamic equilibrium constant is more accurately defined in terms of activity rather than concentration.

